Tech

Google Announces Android Lollipop, Nexus 6 Smartphone, Nexus 9 Tablet

Google has announced the next version of Android, formerly known as Android L, will be called Lollipop, officially version 5.0 of the mobile operating system. It also announced the first two devices to run Android L: the HTC Nexus 9 tablet and the Motorola Nexus 6.

The company also unveiled the first device to run Android TV: the Nexus Player. Built by Asus, the hockey puck-shaped device is a " first-of-its-kind Android gaming device," Google says.

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice president of Android and Chrome, announced the new software and hardware in a blog post. Android 5.0 "Lollipop" is the first version to employ a new design paradigm, which Google calls "Material," first announced at the Google I/O developer conference in the summer.

Lollipop was made to keep the experience of using Android consistent across devices, Google says. From phones to TVs to smartwatches, if the device is running Lollipop, the interface will feel part of the same family, and transitions from device to device will be more seamless, with things like music, photos and video remembering where you left off.

The new version of Android gives users more granular control over notifications, with the ability to limit them in certain situations. For example, you may want to limit notifications to a few specific people when you're in a meeting or on personal time. This could have big implications for smartwatches and other wearables, where smart notifications are central to the experience.

Android Lollipop also includes a battery-saving feature that Google says can extend the life of a device by up to 90 minutes. It's unclear whether the battery saver limits functionality in any way, but considering it's just a fraction of what Samsung, HTC and others get from their ultra low-power modes, Lollipop's battery saver likely keeps you connected.

Security has improved, too. Lollipop includes a Smart Lock feature, which lets users designate trusted devices — such as a Bluetooth earpiece or smartwatch — to keep their phone unlocked when it's present. It's a feature that was previously available on some Android phones, Motorola's in particular, but with version 5.0 it's part of the OS.

Lollipop also includes Factor Reset Protection, according to Re/code, which lets device owners disable their phone remotely, which makes Android 5.0 devices compliant with California's cellphone kill-switch law, which goes into effect in 2015. Encryption for the phone's data is also enabled by default.

Nexus 6

The Nexus 6, made by Motorola, is the first smartphone to run Android Lollipop. It has a 6-inch display with Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, a 13-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a robust 3,220 battery that can charge quickly (15 minutes gets you 6 hours of battery life) with the included Turbo Charger.

Available in "midnight" blue or "cloud" white, the Nexus 6 will be up for pre-order in late October from the Google Play Store for $649. All the major carriers — AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and US Cellular — will offer it for a lower price with a contract or an installment plan.

Motorola also said many of its current phones will get the Android Lollipop update, including both versions of the Moto X, all three versions of the Moto G, the Moto E, the 2013 Droid line (Ultra, Mini and Maxx). There is no firm date for any update since any Android update needs to be approved by wireless carriers.

Nexus 9

Google's Nexus 9 has an 8.9-inch display and is made by HTC.

Image: Google

The Nexus 9 tablet, as rumored, is built by HTC. It has and 8.9-inch IPS (in-plane switching) LCD screen (the same size as the larger Kindle Fire HDX), protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Similar to the Nexus 7, which was made by Asus, the Nexus 9 has a soft-touch backside, but it also has a brushed-metal edge.

The tablet packs a 64-bit Tegra K1 processor, and its GPU is a Kepler DX1. It has 2GB of RAM and buyers can choose between 16GB or 32GB of storage. Both Wi-Fi and LTE versions will be available.

At 0.31 inch thick and 15 ounces, the overall size of the Nexus 9 is lighter than the iPad Air and almost as thin. Like the HTC One, it'll have dual front-facing stereo speakers.

The Nexus 9 will be available Oct. 17, starting at $399. Google will also offer a keyboard case, which looks like a combination of an iPad Smart Cover and a Surface Type Keyboard.

Nexus Player

The Google Nexus Player with its voice-activated remote control and optional game controller.

Image: Google

The Nexus Player represents the official launch of Android TV, the spiritual successor to Google TV, which didn't see much success in the marketplace (although Google says Google TV isn't being discontinued). Android TV brings the power of the Android app platform to power a streaming device similar to a Roku box or Apple TV.

Unlike Google TV devices, the Nexus Player doesn't come with a keyboard. Instead it includes a voice-activated remote and a visual graphical user interface. Content syncs with other Android devices, letting users start watching on the Nexus Player and finish on a tablet or phone. The device is also compatible with Google Cast, meaning it also has all the abilities of Google's Chromecast dongle.

Powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor, the Nexus Player will also be available Oct. 17 for $99. Google will also offer an optional game controller for $39.

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